Trek Metals Confirms Effectiveness of IP Surveying with Visual Manganese in 43 of 51 Holes at Kuro, Expands Exploration

IP Surveying Validated as Effective Tool for Detecting Concealed Manganese at Kuro

Trek Metals' recent update highlights a major technical advancement in exploration at the Kuro manganese prospect. The strong correlation between IP chargeability anomalies and visual manganese intersections confirms IP surveying as an effective method to locate concealed mineralisation beneath shallow sand cover. This is significant as most manganese intersections occurred in areas lacking surface mineralisation indicators, showcasing the company’s capability to explore systematically beyond known outcrops.

This proven methodology unlocks extensive new exploration potential across the broader Kuro basin. CEO Derek Marshall noted that only a small portion of the interpreted prospective basin has been tested so far, and the company has established a systematic approach to explore untested areas. The IP survey team has remobilised to conduct detailed surveys adjacent to the current drilling zone, extending both east and west along the interpreted 16-kilometre prospective basin. This expansion directly results from the drilling validation and demonstrates management’s confidence in the IP targeting strategy.

Visual Manganese Intercepts Extend 400 Metres Along Southern Kuro Line

The maiden reverse circulation drilling at Kuro has revealed significant visual manganese mineralisation with notable strike lengths. The southern chargeability anomaly line extends approximately 400 metres where visual manganese was intersected. Within this area, drill-hole 26XCRC051 intersected 15 metres of massive and semi-massive manganese from 11 metres down-hole within a broader 21-metre zone starting at 10 metres. Similarly, hole 26XCRC059 recorded 14 metres of massive and semi-massive manganese from 6 metres down-hole.

Additional substantial intercepts confirm mineralisation continuity along the southern line. Hole 26XCRC039 intersected 11 metres of semi-massive manganese from 17 metres down-hole within a 14-metre broader zone starting at 14 metres. Hole 26XCRC064 recorded 10 metres of massive and semi-massive manganese from 2 metres down-hole within a 16-metre zone, and hole 26XCRC026 intersected 8 metres of massive and semi-massive manganese from 7 metres down-hole within a 15-metre broader zone starting at 6 metres. These results across multiple drill sites demonstrate lateral continuity of manganese mineralisation along the southern chargeability feature.

Northern Kuro Zones Show 300 and 150 Metre Strike Lengths with Consistent Mineralisation

The northern section at Kuro revealed two distinct mineralised zones with strike extents of 300 metres and 150 metres respectively. Interpreted long sections produced by management highlight these zones, indicating multiple mineralised pods within the basin, consistent with Trek’s exploration and geological model. This suggests a mining district-style setting similar to the Woodie Woodie manganese district in Western Australia.

Cross-section drilling across northern and southern chargeability features indicates an interpreted mineralised width of about 50 metres, aligning with typical pod dimensions in the Woodie Woodie district. Management’s assessment supports a hydrothermal Woodie Woodie-style mineralisation system with multiple manganese pods, reinforcing the company’s strategy to systematically explore for additional pods within the broader basin, mirroring district-scale potential seen at established regional manganese operations.

Laboratory Assays Underway with Progressive Results Expected

Representative drill samples are being collected and submitted to ALS laboratories for analysis. While assay results from completed tests have not been disclosed yet, the company expects the first batch within 1-2 weeks, a second batch within 3-5 weeks, and the final Phase 1 batch within 4-6 weeks. This phased reporting will enable management to evaluate results progressively and adjust exploration plans accordingly.

Trek cautions that visual estimates of mineral abundance are not substitutes for laboratory assays, which are essential to determine concentrations, grades, impurities, and physical properties relevant to economic valuation. The visually observed manganese mineralisation is not representative of the entire Kuro prospect, with ongoing drilling aimed at further assessing manganese distribution. The assay program will provide definitive data on manganese grades and quality critical for economic evaluation.

Simultaneous Exploration of Coogan Copper-Gold Target and REE Soil Anomalies

While awaiting initial assay results from Kuro, Trek has deployed its reverse circulation rig to test additional promising targets within its portfolio. The rig is currently drilling soil anomalies prospective for rare earth elements (REE), gold, and copper-gold mineralisation. This strategy maximises rig utilisation during the Kuro assay wait and advances exploration across multiple commodities. Notably, a strong IP target beneath previous sulphide-bearing drilling at the Coogan copper-gold prospect has been identified, with four holes planned totaling approximately 1,480 metres.

Trek’s exploration approach leverages a diversified portfolio to enhance value from its 100%-owned Christmas Creek Manganese and Gold Project. By concurrently testing gold, copper-gold, and REE targets alongside manganese drilling, the company is building a multi-commodity exploration pipeline. After completing soil anomaly testing, the rig will move to the Coogan copper-gold target to test the identified IP feature. Once initial Kuro assays and further IP survey data are received, the rig will return to Kuro for Phase 2 manganese drilling, reflecting a phased, data-driven exploration strategy.

IP Survey Program Expands Along 16-Kilometre Prospective Basin

Following successful IP validation at Kuro, Trek has expanded its geophysical survey program. The IP survey team has returned to site to conduct detailed surveys adjacent to current drilling zones, extending both east and west along the interpreted 16-kilometre prospective basin. This expansion directly applies the drilling validation and underscores management’s confidence in IP targeting. The basin-scale surveying aims to identify additional IP chargeability targets for systematic exploration beyond current drilling areas.

Trek’s geological interpretation indicates significant unexplored prospectivity. With only a small portion of the prospective basin tested, expanding IP surveys into adjacent areas positions the company to explore a substantially larger area systematically. This grid-based approach contrasts with traditional outcrop-focused exploration and demonstrates practical IP technology application in greenfield manganese exploration. Management views this target pipeline and results as a major opportunity, contingent on assay quality and manganese mineralisation extent across the expanded survey.

Woodie Woodie-Style Mineralisation Model Guides Kuro Exploration

Trek’s technical interpretation suggests Kuro represents a hydrothermal mineralisation system analogous to the Woodie Woodie district in Western Australia. The geological model incorporates multiple mineralised pods similar to those at established manganese operations like Woodie Woodie. This district-scale framework underpins Trek’s exploration strategy and helps estimate Kuro’s mineralisation potential. Cross-section drilling indicating a mineralised width of about 50 metres aligns with typical Woodie Woodie pod dimensions, supporting this interpretation.

Management’s primary exploration goal is discovering multiple manganese pods at Kuro, replicating the multi-pod setting at Woodie Woodie. This focus shifts from confirming the initial discovery to establishing district-scale potential. The validated IP methodology provides the targeting tool to systematically search for additional pods within the basin. CEO Derek Marshall emphasized, "the real prize at Kuro would be to discover multiple pods of mineralisation, as we see at Woodie Woodie," highlighting scale and deposit multiplicity as key drivers of the company’s exploration narrative and value creation.

Exploration Milestones and Upcoming Development Timeline

Trek’s announcement summarizes key exploration achievements at Kuro since starting the maiden reverse circulation drilling program. The company drilled 51 additional holes targeting IP chargeability anomalies, intersecting visual manganese mineralisation in 43 holes. These results confirm lateral continuity of mineralisation along two main chargeability features, with strike extents of 400 metres, 300 metres, and 150 metres documented in interpreted long sections. Cross-section drilling constrained mineralised widths to approximately 50 metres. Collectively, these milestones validate the IP targeting method and establish a foundation for Phase 2 exploration.

The next phase timeline includes receipt of laboratory assay results over coming weeks, with the first batch expected within 1-2 weeks from the announcement. Concurrently, the IP survey team is conducting detailed surveys in adjacent areas to identify more chargeability targets. The reverse circulation rig is testing additional prospects before returning to Kuro for Phase 2 drilling once initial assays and further IP data are available. This integrated approach—combining assay results, expanded geophysical surveys, and continued drilling—positions Trek to advance Kuro toward resource definition based on demonstrated mineralisation and validated targeting. The key upcoming milestone is receipt of definitive assay results confirming manganese grades and quality parameters.